Comparison of the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL), pulsed dye laser (PDL), and Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne: a three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial.

The use of lasers and light devices in dermatology has significantly increased in recent years due to their ease of treatment, predictable clinical efficacy, and minimal side effects. Numerous studies have explored the use of lasers in acne treatment, including Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser, pulsed dye laser (PDL), intense pulsed light (IPL), diode lasers, and laser-based photodynamic therapy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser, PDL, and IPL in the treatment of acne. This pilot study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial involving 36 patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 received three PDL laser treatments at two-week intervals, Group 2 received three IPL treatments at two-week intervals, and Group 3 received three sessions of Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser treatments at two-week intervals. A total of 36 patients were randomly assigned to three groups (PDL, IPL, and Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of each treatment for inflammatory acne. No significant differences were observed in acne lesion counts or severity scores between the groups at any treatment session (P-values ranging from 0.06 to 0.92). Lesion counts and severity decreased significantly within each group over the course of the study. Acne-related disability, measured using the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), decreased significantly from baseline to two weeks after the third treatment session in all groups, indicating improved quality of life. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (P = 0.45). Adverse effects were minimal, with mild erythema reported by one participant in the PDL group, and the Nd: YAG group reported less pain during treatment compared to the others. All three treatment modalities were associated with improvements in acne lesion count, lesion severity, and CADI scores. The reduction in CADI scores indicated reduced acne-related disability and improved quality of life. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. Therefore, PDL, IPL, and Nd: YAG may be considered promising short-term treatment options for inflammatory acne.